Cough Reflex

The cough reflex has 5 components: 1) cough receptors, 2) afferent nerves, 3) a poorly defined cough center, 4) efferent nerves, 5) effector muscles. Key to cough particularly in pathology is the cough receptors. In summary, cough receptors are throughout all the airways and upper G.I. tract. as well as the pericardium and diaphragm.